City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 24, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER
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Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase Ambulance Transport Fees Based on the Type of Services Provided.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to increase ambulance transport fees to coincide with cost increases in the EMS System. The higher rates, which are based on the levels of service provided, will allow the City to offset a higher percentage of EMS costs.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council pass the ordinance (Attachment II) on first reading on May 7, 2015, and schedule the ordinance for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, May 16, 2015. The ordinance would become effective on July 1, 2015.
BACKGROUND: As part of the FY 2016 Proposed Budget, the Fire Department submitted a proposal to increase ambulance billing rates, which were last increased on July 1, 2008.
The last time the City of Alexandria increased fees was in 2008.The fee was set at $400 for Basic Life Support (BLS) service, $500 for Advanced Life Support (ALS)-1 service, and $675 for ALS-2 service. The intent of the City's BLS and ALS fee policy was to have (1) rates that were closer to the cost of service provision, and (2) have rates that were equal to Arlington and Fairfax since with medical aid an Alexandria resident may receive service from an ambulance dispatched from another jurisdiction (and vice-versa). This proposed increase would make the City's BLS and ALS fees equal to Fairfax County.
DISCUSSION: The first priority of the FY 2016 budget from the City Manager is the diversification and expansion of the City's tax base, which includes user fees and charges for service such an ambulance transport.
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